‘Babysitting Bill’ Hopes To Lower Legal Babysitting Age

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS — A bill in Illinois is hoping to change the law so it’s legal for 12- and 13-year-olds to babysit younger children.

Right now, it’s illegal in Illinois for someone under the age of 14 to babysit. In fact, it’s considered neglect.

House Bill 2334, nicknamed the “babysitting bill,” lowers that age to 12, WREX reported.

If a child is left with someone under the age of 14 for “an unreasonable amount of time” it’s considered neglect.

WREX reported that a parent or guardian can be charged with child abandonment for leaving a minor 13 years old or younger without supervision “by a responsible person over the age of 14 for a period of 24 hours or more.”

Lawmakers who sponsored the bill argue it would assist parents who struggle to afford child care.